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Working from a Third Place
Krishna Dagli writes to mention a USA Today report on the social and business ramifications of working from a third place - somewhere that is neither home nor office. From the article: "An estimated 30 million Americans, or roughly one-fifth of the nation's workforce, are part of the so-called Kinko's generation, employees who spend significant hours each month working outside of a traditional office. This rootless army is growing 10% annually, according to Gartner Dataquest research. The reason? Corporations are increasingly supportive of teleworking for reasons that range from saving money on office space to needing a backup in the event of a natural disaster or terror attack."
WiFi and 3G cellular networks are a huge reason; they're also a huge security whole. While (I hope) most enterprises have taken security precautions for working in public WiFi networks, I doubt most small and medium sized companies (esp. non-technology ones) are aware of how risky it is. It would be an interesting experiment to park next to Starkbucks and leave a laptop running ethereal, dsniff, etc. on for a couple hours -- something tells me not everyone there is connecting through VPN's, SSH, etc.
Sadly, PS/2 was yet another victim of USB, which doesn't care what you plug into it, the electrical slut.
Totally true. The dream of working from home came true, but it will drive you crazy. I don't need work to get in my socialization, i told myself. But soon you really want an annoying boss breathing down your neck, just to have some noise!
in all honesty, i love working from home, but i've found my sanity slipping from the quiet a few times, and that endless productivity that you imagine can turn into what amounts to running in circles if you don't break up your day to clear your head.
i've heard a healthy habit like smoking can do wonders!
We are just now demoing these for just that issue and they are AWSOME! Basically just plug it into a USB port on any computer anywhere in the world and you get a completely secure work connection that leaves no files locally. Very cool!
"reality has a well-known liberal bias" - Steven Colbert
I worked for HP for a few years, and they had a really solid teleworker program. We had an entire Linux support team that was virtual, scattered across the U.S. We managed to get a lot done, and have a solid team dynamic at the same time. So it is possible...
Custom, hands-free Linux installs. Instalinux
I've been one of these so called root-less workers for six years now and I can tell you it's not what it's cracked up to be.
#1: My company provided me with a cellular 'broadband' card as my primary connection. It works great in city centers, but is horrible if it works at all outside of major metro areas. I love it when it goes into idle mode as well - drops my VPN login, web pages time out on load, etc etc etc.
#2: My company insists it's important to load bloated corporate spyware that forces updates at inopportune moments and suddenly reboots when it's done - many times in the middle of a large email response. No warning, no choice.
#3: They insist on loading Novell services as they do for internal office workers when everything I need is strictly IP based. I got my hand slapped for backing it out, since that also reports back to the mothership daily.
#4: Many cafes that offer WiFi have minimal electrical outlets, so if you don't vulture other laptop users, you don't get to plug in. Not to mention, these environments are not conducive to making business calls with the grinders and blenders singing their harmonious tune - not to mention the vocals: "DECAF VENTI NON FAT SUGARFREE VANILLA LATTE!"
#5: Recipients of my calls complain of noisy backgrounds, so I have to go out side and talk. Winter sucks for this.
There is some luxury to the practice of being a rootless worker - the scenery does change frequently, I avoid bad coffee/snacks and the people working at these places get to know you and eventually hook you up with a freebie once in awhile.
Shame on companies who try to get off cheap and don't provide proper resources or financial compensation for lack of a decent working environment!
Basically, it can be really tough to focus sometimes. When my kids were young, especially, and we were homeschooling, I basically had to work at night in order to get anything at all done. Of course, the flexibility of the work-from-home allowed this (and my contract jobs did too), and so I got to spend a lot of time with the kids.
One nice thing is that instead of getting bored at the office and going and hanging out at someone's cube, I'll get up, go the my shop and fix something, or go mow the lawn, or go for a ride. Then, I come back, refocused and get back to work.
These days, I'm either working hard, or hardly working, depends on the day, the weather, and what my wife's doing. Oh, and whether or not it's snowed recently ;)
Another reason is some cities give tax breaks to companies who let some of their workforce work without commuting into town, where the air is full of commuter exhaust fumes.
Another reason is it's cheaper to not have to rent space for those employees, if they're willing to work elsewhere.
Another reason is because the economy has been tanking somewhat, with loss of a lot of work to "outsourced" workers, the off site workers are easier to gradually let go, and replace them with outsourced workers in other countries.
I started a new job after being laid off for a bit working from home - aka telecommuting full time. Infact my employer isn't even in the same state i'm at nor within driving distance for a days work!
The secret to telecommuting is community. The people i work with are very friendly and technically savy people - in the community way. They know how to pickup the phone and call, drop me a sametime request and schedule meetings and conference calls to get that person to person chat going.
You have to be organized and willing to work to make it "Work" but it is well worth it. I find myself relaxed, invigorated and the days flying by like no tomorrow.
It does take some getting used to of not having "cube mates" but honestly after working at banks, small shops, development houses, BIG shops and such the small talk isn't exactly worth the hassle of going to work and the real talk i had with people i would consider myself as friends usually ended up getting me in trouble and distracting myself from "working".
I've got a laptop, cable modem, desk, home office (above detached garage) so i even have a place to go to work to and come home from - even though its only 25 feet from the house that can make a difference.
I went from driving an hour each way to walking out my front door and i couldn't be happier. If i want interaction i go hang out at Barnes and Noble, Panera or the local coffee shop and use the wifi to login and get some work done and sip a hot coffee and talk to people often on something that isn't work and the healthy type of distraction that can keep you thinking and out of the day to day drone type work that most of my previous 12 years in IT has been like.
Most importantly, if you work from home or out of the office find a place that respects you for that. Don't accept less money, don't accept less benefits, don't let them treat you like your not part of the team. Places that do that, just don't understand telecommuting, never will and you will hate it.